Use of Compression Glove to Prevent Complications After Distal Radius Fractures: a Randomized Controlled Trial

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Distal radius fractures (DRF) are the most common type of fracture in the human body, and a large proportion of DRFs result in complications. Previously proposed preventive strategies have questionable efficacy and may impose additional risks on the patient. Because many complications secondary to distal radius fractures are associated with excessive swelling, a prophylactic means for edema reduction could dramatically reduce morbidity among this population. A compression glove is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological way to reduce edema. Previous studies have confirmed its utility in edema reduction after hand trauma and among patients with chronic inflammatory conditions, but none have sufficiently investigated the application to patients with distal radius fractures, a population in which this intervention could have a large impact. The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial to evaluate use of a compression glove during recovery among patients who have sustained an unstable distal radius fracture. The investigators hypothesize that patients who wear a compression glove after a distal radius fracture:

Patients in this group have a compression glove incorporated into their splint for 2 weeks post-op, and wear a glove underneath their cast for 3 weeks. The patient then wears the glove at night after cast removal.

Device: Compression glove

A compression glove worn during recovery from distal radius fracture

No Intervention: Control

Patients in this group undergo standard recovery procedures. This includes a splint worn for 2 weeks post-op, followed by a short arm cast worn for the next 3 weeks.

30-item questionnaire designed to quanitfy functional outcomes of the upper extremity and measure symptoms of pain, physical, emotional, and social domains associated with musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb.

Pain [ Time Frame: Baseline, 2wks, 5wks, 3mos, 6mos ]

Using a 1-10 pain scale

Time-to-recovery [ Time Frame: Time point when patient is discharged from occupational therapy ]

Time at which occupational therapist decrees that the patient has reached a recovery point beyond which a home exercise program is sufficient to complete their rehabilitation.

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Additional fractures, including carpal fractures, more proximal fractures of the radius, and finger injuries will be excluded from the study (Ulnar styloid and ulnar head and neck fractures will be included)